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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sly distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of sly are artful, crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

Where would artful be a reasonable alternative to sly?

The words artful and sly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When could crafty be used to replace sly?

While in some cases nearly identical to sly, crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

In what contexts can cunning take the place of sly?

While the synonyms cunning and sly are close in meaning, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

When is it sensible to use foxy instead of sly?

The synonyms foxy and sly are sometimes interchangeable, but foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

When is slick a more appropriate choice than sly?

In some situations, the words slick and sly are roughly equivalent. However, slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When might tricky be a better fit than sly?

Although the words tricky and sly have much in common, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When would wily be a good substitute for sly?

The meanings of wily and sly largely overlap; however, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sly Until Victor, in a truly sly move, literalizes it and gives you one last gem of a speech. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025 Some fans took it as a sly comment towards her relationship. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 25 June 2025 In a moment of sly genius, Duke gained entry by concealing himself as one of Lyle’s ghostly henchmen using a rubber band and a piece of white tissue as his disguise. Hazlitt, 18 June 2025 From sly grog shops to speakeasies, people created places to connect and celebrate, even when the world tried to keep them apart. Rebecca Styn, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly
Adjective
  • Honest Abe is forced to scheme, relying on grit and cunning to win the votes to abolish slavery.
    EW Staff Published, EW.com, 4 July 2025
  • Of all the acts, though, Sudanese American vocalist Dua Saleh was the most subdued, swaying between heart-fluttering falsettos and cunning raps.
    Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The former Oakland Raiders linebacker was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s shady military pal in Predator (1987) before landing his own macho action vehicle in Action Jackson (1988).
    Skyler Trepel, EW.com, 25 July 2025
  • According to the weather service, heat index values are calculated for shady conditions with light winds, but direct sun exposure can increase these values by up to 15 degrees.
    Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • This mischievous animal has an impressive shoe collection.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 17 July 2025
  • The sweet little girl and her mischievous blue alien finally give Hollywood its first billion-dollar movie of 2025, with Lilo & Stitch the only studio film to reach the milestone this year.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • For my family, our go-to choice is always Lake Como with its breathtaking scenery, cute villages, and some of the country’s best luxury hotels in this little part of Northern Italy.
    Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
  • Fortunately, Amazon is having a massive sale on cute linen clothes, and prices start at just $20.
    Emily Weaver, People.com, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Keep an eye out for sneaky eaters tempted to pick off the topping to eat like candy. Directions Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F.
    Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
  • Walmart’s got some sneaky good deals right now, and this one definitely caught our eye.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Similarly, a text grappling with a wicked problem shouldn’t stay limited by the narrow confines of literary genre, instead blending journalism, memoir, fiction, and narrative nonfiction.
    Melody Glenn July 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 2025
  • Stinging and 'wicked' Asian needle ants are spreading across the US Are invasive tawny crazy ants in Ohio?
    Kim Luciani, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Climate change continues to have a profound impact on the Great Lakes region, bringing more extreme weather, declining fish populations, and subtle but profound economic transformation.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Interplay of rough and polished diamonds continued, with a wide range of hues from white to subtle greens and browns, and the use of materials such as natural jet and grand-feu enamel.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Tom Cruise may shoot furtive glances at co-stars, punch of co-stars in the face and/or betray co-stars for the good of mankind.
    Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • Mounting fear within the Jewish and Conservative communities of New York is that Mamdani’s furtive stance of justice for Palestine and divestment from Israel is stoking the flame of more virulent Anti-Semitism to come.
    Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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